Electrical connector



Aug. 24, 1965 w. H M KEE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledMarch 1, 1963 Inventor Aug. 24, 1965 w. H. MOKEE, 3,202,955

ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR Filed March 1. 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 MIN InventorW/ /A'd% %%Ze Mm 5AA.

United States Patent 3,262,955 ELECTRIQAHJ CGNNECTGR William H. McKee,West Covina, Qalifi, assignor to United Cai-r incorporated, acorporation of Delaware Fiied Mar. 1, 1963, Ser. No. 261367 13 (Ilaims.(ill. 339--S9) The present invention relates to an improved electricalconnector and more specifically it relates to an improved edge connecterconstruction intended to at least minimize sliding wear on the printedcircuit portions of circuit boards and on the contacts of the connectorsduring insertion and withdrawal of the boards into and from said edgeconnectors or establish or allow no more than a relatively low amount offriction between the sliding surfaces suflicient for a wiping actionwithout excessive wear.

Present edge connector constructions for printed circuit boardsgenerally involve sliding the printed circuit boards into the connectorsto place the boards into electrically operative positions within saidconnectors. It is important to point out that the printed circuitportions of the boards are very thin, generally on the order of from oneto a very few thousandths of an inch thick. Such circuit portions of theboards and also the contacts of the connectors are moreover normally ormost often, always in the case of military or space use, plated over theengageable portions with precious metal such as gold, which isrelatively soft and easily wearable, which plating is extremely thin,being measured in the millionths of an inch. It can readily beappreciated that very little wear would be required to appreciablyaffect the electrical characteristics of the circuitry and therefore itis essential that serious consideration be given to minimizing orholding within allowable limits abrasive wear upon the components andcontacts.

The electrical connector or connector construction or" the presentinvention, accordingly, is directed to the pro vision of an improvedconnector adapted to at least minimize or hold within allowable limitsabrasive or sliding wear upon the printed circuit portions of the boardsand on the contacts. The edge connector of the present inventioninvolves a two part construction wherein a printed circuit board isinserted between the two parts and the latter then placed in a clampingrelation with said board. The board, therefore, is inserted between theconnector parts when the latter are loose or unclamped.

It, accordingly, is a general object of the present invention to providean improved electrical connector for printed circuit boards.

A further object of'the present invention is the provision of animproved electrical connector construction for printed circuit boardswherein wear upon the printed circuit portions of the boards and on thecontacts of the connectors is at least minimized or held withinallowable limits providing for Wiping during insertion and removal ofthe boards within and from the connectors.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of an' improvedconnector construction for printed circuit boards wherein a single boardfor example is insertable into the connector and the latter placed in aclamped condition with said board to realizedelectrical interconnectionbetween the circuit portions ofsaid board and said connector.

A further object of a preferred form of the present invention is theprovision of an improved two part electrical connector wherein bothparts are identical in construction.

Another object of a preferred form of the present invention is theprovision of an improved two part edge connector for printed circuitboards wherein each of said ice parts is identical in construction andadapted to be assembled in loosely opposed relation to receive a circuitboard, said parts to be brought into clamped relation with an interposedcircuit board after at least relatively easy insertion of said board toat least minimize sliding wear upon the printed circuit portions of saidboard and contacts of the connector.

The novel features which I believe to be characteristic of my inventionare set forth with particularly in the appended claims. Other objects,advantages and features of the invention in its various aspects andforms will appear in the course of reading and considering the followingdescription, in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a view, in perspective, of a preferred form of connector ofthe present invention showing a printed circuit board receivedtherewithin in electrically connected relation therewith;

FIGURE 2 is a face view of one of the L shaped insulating bodies of theconnector together with its resilient pad and contacts, the side legonly of another such insulating body being shown fragmentarily in dottedlines;

FIGURE 3 is a greatly enlarged cross sectional view of a mid portion ofthe base leg of the insulating body of the connector shown in FIGURE 2without the resilient material and contacts thereon;

FIGURE 4 is a greatly enlarged cross sectional view taken along the line4--4 of FIGURE 2 and in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 5 is a greatly enlarged side view of a slightly different form ofelectrical contact for the connector illustrated in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view of a portion ofthe edge connector in the spaced condition it would normally be in whenthe connector is in a vertical position (even though illustratedhorizontally), the figure also showing a pair of slightly differentinsulating bodies and slightly different contacts therefor;

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 6 but showing the printed circuitboard in electrically connected relation with the connector; and

FIGURE 8 is a top plan view of a preferred form of multiple connectorfor a number of printed circuit boards according to the presentinvention.

Referring more particularly now to FIGURE 1, the connector generallydesignated 10 comprises a pair of identical though reversely positionedto each other electrically insulative bodies 12 and 14 of a suitableplastic for instance. Each of the bodies 12 and 14 has a side leg 16 anda base leg 18. The side leg 16 of each insulating body defines a groove20 (illustrated in FIGURE 6) extending most of the way therealong andterminating at a shoulder surface 21 (see FIG. 6) near the base leg.Each side leg 16 has a series of fingers 22 extending inwardly from eachside of the groove 20 thereof to provide additional support for theprinted circuit board 24,

(shown in FIGURE 1 with only a test pattern thereon) at spaced intervalsalong the groove length.

Each insulating body 12 and 14 of the connector is generally L shaped inconfiguration as indicated in FIG- URES 1 and 2. The base leg 18 of eachof the insulating bodies defines a central recess 26 extending along amajor distance of the length thereof as shown in FIGURE 2 for one of thebase legs. A first series of uniformly spaced openings 28 extend alongeach base leg for about the length of the recesses 26 thereof, each ofsaid openings extending fully through the thickness of the leg andfurther opening through the rear face of the leg as indicated at 30 inFIGURE 3 for instance. A wall- 32 of insulating material is definedbetween the recess 26 and the inner faces of the openings 28. A secondseries of q a openings 34 extend through the thickness of each base leg18 near the front face of the leg, said openings being equal in numberand width to the openings 38 and opposite thereto. A shoulder 36 isdefined in each of the openings 34 of the base legs. a V a A body ofresilient material 38 of a suitable rubber or synthetic for instance isreceived within the recess 26 of each base leg 18, said materialextending along substantially the full length of the recess. The outerface 48 of each body of resilient material is slightly beyond the innerface 19 of each base leg 18. I

An electric'alcontact or prong 42 is received within each pair ofopposite openings 28 and 34 of the series of openings hereinabovedefined in each base leg 18. Each contact 42 includes a hook portion 44,body portion 46 and tailportion 48. The hook portion 44 of each contactis received in one of the openings 34 of one of the insulating bodieswith the terminal portion of the hook 44 preferably engaging theshoulder 36 of the opening 34 to retain the contact within said opening.The body 46 of each contact 42 extends out of its opening 34 and thenalong the outer face of one of the resilient bodies 38. The bodysection' td of each contact then extends into one of the openings 28 ofone of the insulating bodies 18 with the tail portion 48 of the contactextending 'rearwardly of the portion30 of the opening 28 of theinsulating body.

As illustrated in FIGURES 1, 6 and 7, the insulating bodies 12 and 14are assembled by placing the base leg portionslS thereof inface-to-face, coextensive relation. The base leg 18 of each of thinsulating bodies is proyided with openings 50 and 52 (seeFIGURE 2) extending therethroug h. The openings at each end of the base legs 18 are inregistration with each other. i

A clamping and mounting bracket 54 is positioned over the base legs, thebracket 54 being provided with openings therein which register with theopenings 58 and 52' of each I of the base legs. Bolts or the likeareinserted through the openings in the bracket 54, the openings 58 and 52of the base legs and also registering openings'in a metal support plateextending across the lower base leg 18, the bolts being fastened at theopposite ends against the support plate 56 by means of nuts (not shown),the base legs together with'their resilient bodies 38 and contacts beingclampable against the interposed board 24 (as shown in FTGURE 1) intoelectrical engagement betweenthe contacts and conductive strips of theboard, respectively, by the use of the members 54 and 56 and the screwand bolt units upon tightening of the latter. The upstanding legs 58 of,the bracket 54 maybe utilized for mounting the connector tov asupporting structure which may be a 'moth r circuit board within holesof which, extending through conductive strips thereof, the .tails of thecontacts extend respectively, in electrical engagement with thestrips'respectively.

FIGURE 6 illustrates a portion of the connector Without a circuit boardpositioned'therein. As indicated, the

base legs 18 of each of the insulatingbodies are in facing,

coextensive relation to eachother. The main bodyportion lfi of each ofthe contacts 42 is held in spaced relation to the inner surface of thebase leg 18 of the insulating body with which it isassociated by thebody of resilient material 38 positioned within the base leg. V

FIGURES 1 and 7 illustrate the connector with a printed circuit boardfully inserted therein with the co planar transverse edges 24 (only onebeing indicated in FIGURE '7) of a pair of terminal notches or rightangle cut off corners of'thefboard, one on each side'of the board (notshown) in endwise' abutting engagement with the aforesaid shoulders atthe ends of the grooves 28, re-

1 spectively, thus to produce electrical connections between thecontacts of the connector and theirassociated cir:

T (:uitrytnotshown) and the "circuit'portion 6 80f the circuit boardwhenthe clamping action of the clamping 'rneans is effected.

The" conductive strips, of course, are provided on both surfaces of thecircuit board 24.

FIGURE 2 is out of scale relative to the size and nurn- The board 24also, of course, is of a suitable dielectric material to prevent electrical flow between adjacent circuit portions by transference throughthe board itself.

The connector is actually provided with a matingcontact 42 for each ofthe separate strips 68 of the printed circuit board considering bothsides of the board although her of contacts. As noted hereinabove,thestrips 68 on the surfaces of the board 24 are usually of the order offrom one to a very few thousandths of an inch in thickness and thatthese strips are also normally or most often gold plated (at least overthe contact area thereof) to a. thickness measured in millionths of aninch. Care must be observed in the use of the circuit boards in order toprevent abrasive wearing of the strips. It can readily be seen that evenslight abrasive wear of the electrically con .ductive strips may resultin an appreciable effect upon the electrical characteristics of thestrip and thereby upon the effectiveness 'of the board in use.

The connectorperrnits insertion and removal of the circuit board Withoutexcessive friction or abrasive action upon the strips and contacts dueto contact making pressure as by clamping or otherwise during saidinsertion and removal. The desired or finally established electricalinterconnection between the strips on'the circuit board and the contactsof the connector, respectively, is'had after the connector is positionedfully within the connector. The desired lelectricalconnection isrealized by clamping the base legs'l8 of the insulating bodies of theconnector together with the resilient bodies 38 and contacts thereofagainst the interposed circuit board with its conductive strips. Thisclamping action is removed prior to with drawal of the board from theconnector sothat the frictional or abrasive action may be minimizedduring removal.

The'board 24 is inserted into the connector by positioning the oppositeside edge portions of said board within the open. ends of the grooves 28defined within the side legs 16 of the insulating bodies. The board thenis slidably moved along the groovesuntil it abutts against the surfaces21 of the bodies 12 and 14 and rests fully within the. board receivingarea defined-Within the connector. In the latter position the inner endportion of'the board will be positioned in the area defined between thefacing surfaces of the base legs 18 of the insulating bodies togetherwith their resilient bodies 38 and. contacts and laterally between theinwardly raised facing surfaces 25 of l the legs 16 beyond the groovesthereof. When the board 24 is inserted fully within the connector, asset forth hereinabove, the bolts extending through the openings 58 and52 of the insulating bodies and the metal plates 54 and 56 are tightenedupon the platesto bring the base legs 18 of the insulating bodies intocloser or clamping relation.' The main body portion 26 of each of theconfacts is in this manner brought into clamping engagement withone ofthe'strips '68 of the circuit board 24 to estab .lish the desiredelectrical interconnection therebetween;

' The bolts are tightened until the board is retained Within the edgeconnector with suitable clamping force to avoid accidental Withdrawal ordischarge of the'board from the connector. It thus is seen' that the'boardis inserted fully within the connector While the base legsllStogether with the resilient bodies 38 and contacts thereof are in anunclamped condition, normally in spaced relation to each other. Thenormally presentspace between the main body main body portions of eachof the contactsand the sur face of the adjacent strips 6tl is relativelyslight, thereby to minimize frictional or abrasive wear of the very thintstrips and of the prongs both of which, as previously pointed out, areusually or most often extremely thinly plated with rather soft gold.

When the bolts of the connector are tightened the bodies of resilientmaterial 38 are caused to resiliently yield, after any looseness orspaced between the strips 60, contacts, resilient-bodies, and base legsis taken up, with v the contacts at least tending to move farther withinthe base legs or otherwise shift relatively thereto against the actionof the .resilient bodies. As should be appreciated, the contacts move orshift individually against the resilient bodies as necessary to in turnindividually accommodate the strips as the contacts are brought intoclamping, good electrical contact making engagement with the strips.Yielding of the resilient bodies 38 therefore, permits individualadjustment or adaptation of the contacts to their respective circuitstrips and also provides a resilient pressure therebetween for theestablishment and maintenance of the desired good electrical engagementtherebetween, while at the same time cushioning the clamping forces uponthe strips.

The connector is constructed such that both sections or insulatingbodies 12 and 14 thereof are identical in construction through rotated180 relative to each other. In this manner manufacturing costs areminimized in that only one insulating body need be manufactured. Storageand supply overhead are also minimized in that different matingcomponents for each connector need not be stored.

Pairs'of insulative bodies 12 and 14 may be assembled in a stack asillustrated in FIGURE 8 of the drawings. In this figure a stack of fivepairs generally designated 19 is shown. The connector shown in thisfigure is able to receive five circuit boards 24, as illustrated. Thestacked pairs 10 are unitized by passing rods 62 through each of theopenings in the base legs of the pairs 10 and through openings in themetal plate 64 at the end and four similar metal plates separating thepairs 10, nuts being threaded on the ends of the rods adjacent the plate64. The rods 62 also pass through a forward and thicker plate 66, atensioning spring 72 and a front plate 68, nuts being threaded on theforward ends of the rods. A threaded tensioning assembly member 70 ispassed through a bore in the front portion of the plate 66 and within aslot therethrough, being secured therewithin by a snap ring receivedwithin an annular groove around the end portion of the member 70. Thetensioning spring 72 is disposed in curvilinear fashion between thespaced rods 62. The middle pressed out section 74 of the rear half orleaf of the tensioning spring 72 is threadedly received on the member 70while the spring 72 is loosely received on the rods 62 and abutts theend plate 68. The tensioning spring 72 moves forwardly along the member70 upon turning the latter by means of a screw driver received within aslot (not shown) in the front end of the member to load the spring 72and thus provide for the clamping forces upon the stacked pairs 10 whenthe circuit boards 24 are fully Within the connector between therespective bodies 12 and 14 of the pairs It). The clamping force is, ofcourse, exerted through the member 70 and the engaged plate 66,ultimately against the back up plate 64 being held firm by the rods 62against which the spring 72 pushes in the opposite direction through theplate 68 and front nuts.

In connection with the FIGURE 8 form it is pointed out that the overallclamping means including the rods 62 and backing plate 64 is such as tobe able to close up all looseness within the stacked connector and clampeven asingle board within one of the pairs 12 and 114 or any number ofboards within the connector less than the total receivable numberofboards.

While the grooves in the side legs 16 of the insulative bodies 12 and 14have been disclosed as being continuous with portions 22 extendinginwardly therefrom along each side of each groove to add to the grooves,it should be clearly understood that the groove in each side leg mayalso be intermittent defined solely by portions like 22, for instance,of the side leg, either in staggered or in directly'opposite, pairedrelation to each other, extending inwardly from the unrecessed back orrest of the side leg. Use of the words groove or grooves or the like inthe appended claims is therefore intended to include or cover suchintermittent or interdupted grooves as well as the continuous variety.

Although not preferred, the recesses 26 could extend the entire lengthsof the base legs 18 opening out to the opposite ends thereof.

Recitation in the claims that or to the effect that a resilient body,such as 38 in the disclosure, is in contact with an insulating body or aportion thereof as a face or as the back of a recess is intended toinclude any instance in which the resilient body is mounted on theinsulating body or portion thereof by cement, adhesive, or similarunitizing of the two as well as where the resilient body is merelyresting against the insulating body or portion thereof in abuttingcontact therewth uncemented or the like.

The clamping means need not necessarily be normally not functioning tourge or bring the insulative bodies 12 and 14 towards each other exceptwhen operated so as to effect this for the clamping action afterinsertion of the circuit board or boards but may normally urge thebodies 12 and 14 at least to some extent towards each other but whichmeans can be caused not to so urge said bodies towards each other by atool or otherwise at least while the board is or boards are movedbetween the base legs of said bodies 12 and 14 after which insertion theclamping means is freed or allowed to resume its normal base legs urgingaction which is then effective to clamp the board or boards between saidbase legs and carried resilient bodies 38 and contacts. It is alsoimportant to point out that in the appended claims the words clampingmeans or the like are intended to include all structure that isnecessary to effect the clamping of a pair or pairs of insulative bodiessuch as 12 and 14, for instance, together with their resilient bodies 38and contacts, and inserted circuit board or boards together includingother pairs of bodies such as 12 and 14 so far as one claimed pair ofbodies such as 12 and 14, for instance, is concerned and also anyseparating transverse plates, for instance, in the case of stacked formsof connectors.

While the two disclosed forms of the present invention are constructedto receive and electrically connect with a board or boards havingprinted circuit strips on both sides or faces thereof, it should, ofcourse, be understood that other embodiments of the invention can be hadfor the reception of and electrical connection with a board or boardshaving connector engageable conductive portions or strips on one sidethereof only, in which case a resilient body such as 38 and contactsneed only be on one base leg of each pair of insulative bodies with theopposite base leg being unrecessed and having no contacts.

Although the spaced means receiving the opposite side edge portions ofthe circuit board prior to as well as after insertion of the boardbetween the base legs 18 of the insulating bodies 12 and 14 are thegroove defining side legs 16 of said bodies in the disclosed forms ofthe invention, such means do not necessarily have to be integral withwhat has been disclosed as the base legs of the insulating bodies. Theinsulating bodies may consist largely or entirely of what has beendisclosed at the base legs of the bodies with members generally similarto or the equivalent of disclosed side legs 16 but separated from theinsulating bodies being independently supported or being secured to, oreven formed integral with, where these means are metal, one of the clampbars, for instance, as 54 in the drawing but modified for the purpose.The side legs, of course, could both be joined to the same base legwhile what has been disclosed as the other base leg would in thisinstance be an insulating body with no side legs. It might also benecessary or undesired in some instances to employ the side legs orequivalent means for receiving the opposite side edge portions of theboard in which'case such legs or means could be eliminated While twoembodiments of the present invention have been shown and describedit-should be understood that modifications thereof and other forms ofthe invention may be had and are in fact had in mind. The appendedclaims,'therefore, should be limited. only by their terms liberallyconstrued in the overall broad light of the invention in its variousaspects.

What is claimed is: t 1 a a 1. An electrical connector adapted toelectrically connect a printed circuit componentvto associated.circuitry whereby sliding action upon the printed circuit strips of thecomponent isrninimized, said connector comprising: a pair of insulatingbodies each of said bodies defining a side leg and a base leg, the baseleg of each body adapted to be assembled in mating face-to-facerelationwith respect to each other, the mating face of which faces towards theother base leg along at least a substantial portion threof having arecess therein at least a substantial part of which is opposite at leasta substantlal part of the recess in the other base, leg, each of therecesses having' a body of resilient material such as for exampleresilient rubber therein at least a substantial part of which each ofsaid base legs having a recess therein, each of said recesses having .abody of resilient material therein, said side legs each defining agroove extend ing therealong, said grooves adapted to receive the Vedges of the circuit component, said base legs each having electricalcontacts therein, at least one portion of each of the contacts adaptedto extend over the mating face of the body of resilient material;

and r I clamping means operatively associated with said mat:

ing'base legs to clamp said baserlegs together, where- 'by said circuitcomponent is inserted into said connectorby slidably urging it along thegrooves until said component extends into the area between said ,fbaselegs, said base legs then being moved into clamping relation withsaid.vcomponentubyw said clamping means, saidvbodies. of resilient materialdeflecting to s accommodate the board circuit strips and urging said 7one portion of the contacts into electrical engagei ment with the stripsonsaidrcomponent.

H 2. Anrelectrical edge connector adapted to electrically connect aprinted circuit component to associated circuitry 7 the edges of thecircuit component, said base legs ;each having electrical contactstherein, at least one portion of eachof the contacts adapted to extendover the mating face of the body of resilient material; and clampingmeans operatively associated with said-mating base legs .toelampsaidjbase legs together, where;

faces towardsthe other body of resilientrnaterial, the backof each ofthe resilient bodies being in contact with the back of the recessreceiving the body at least in the course of the clamping of the circuitboard for final desired electrical interconnection between the board andcon nector and thereafter as long as' said interconnection remains made,said side legs each having a groove extending at least a substantialdistance therealong, said side legs be-' ing at least towards oppositesides respectively of the .two base legs considered as a unit, saidgrooves being located to and suitable to receive the two opposite sideedge portions of the circuit board, the two base leg and resilient bodyunits carrying electrical contacts for engagement with said conductorsrespectively on the two faces of said board at least a board conductorengageable portion of each of which contacts extends over a portion ofone of the resilient bodies, facing towards the other resilient body,and is so in engagement with such portion of the resilient bodyin thecourse of the clamping of the base legs, together withthe resilientbodies thereof and the contacts, against said board after the latter hasbeen at least generally predeterminately interposed between the baselegs as tohelp cause at least some resilient deformation of theresilient body and clamping means operatively as-' sociated with saidinsulating bodies effective to clamp said baselegs, together withtheresilient bodies thereof and the contacts, and interposed boardtogether into desired final electrical engagement between said contactsand said conductors of the board'respectively after the board'has' beenat least generally predeterminate'ly placed between the base legstogether with the resilient bodies and contacts thereof, whereby forelectrically interconnecting said board and connector, the board isinserted into the connector by moving it within and alongsaid groovesuntil the board extends within the space between said base legs 7together with the resilient bodies and contacts thereof bysaid circuitcomponent is inserted into said con-V nector' by slidably urging italong the grooves .until ;saidcomponent'extendsinto the area betweensaid base legs, said base legs thenbeing moved into clamp ingrelationwith; said component by said, clamping ,means, said resilientmaterial deflecting to 3009111:

7 modate the.componentandcircuit strips and urging said one portion ofthe'eontacts into electrical engagement with the circuit strips on. saidcomponent,

3, An electrical connector forelectrically connecting a printed circuitboard having a ploifality of conductors on each of thetwo opposite facesthereof to'conductor V meanswithin which connector the board isinsertable with at most relativelyllow resistance to any slidingmovement between the conductors of the board and the contacts of theconnector, the connector comprising a pair of insulat ing bodies eachhaving a side leg, and a base leg, the base legs of said bodies facingtowardseach other at least along a substantial portion of each, the sideof each base leg 0o .i r.

printed circuitboard having a plurality of printed conbeing carried outwhen the clamping means is not so,

functioning as to so keep the base'legs together with the resilientbodies and contactsithereof at least close to each,

other as to prevent said movement of the board with no more 'thanrelatively lowrresistance to any sliding movement between the conductorsof the board and the contacts ofthe connector, the clamping means thenbeing placed in such a condition as to in turn place said base legs'together'with the resilient bodies and contacts thereof in a, V desiredcondition" of clamping the board therebetwee'n to establish desiredfinal electrical engagement between said contacts and said conductors ofthe board respectively, sald bodies resiliently deformingfto'permitaccommoda- 'tion of said conductors of the boardjbyesaid contactsrespectively and resiliently urge the contacts into desired finalelectrical engagement with said conductors of the board respectively inthe course of said clamping. 4. An electrical connector for electricallyconnecting a ductors on. a face thereof 'to conductor means within whichconnectorthe board is insertable with at most relatively lowresistanceto any sliding movement between the conductors of the board and thecontacts of theconector, the connector comprising afpa'ir of insulativebodies each having a side'leg and a base leg, the base 7 legs of saidbodies facing'towards'each other at least along QB. substantial portionof each, the side of one of the base legs which faces towards the otherbase legvalon-g at least a substantial portion of said- -,.one leghavinga recess therein atleast a substantial art of which recess is oppositeat least part ofthe other base leg, ,therecess having a "body ofresilient material such aslfor example; resilient rubber therein 'atleast 'a substantial part of V which faces towards the base leg nothaving said recess and body of resilient material, the back of theresilient body being in contact with the back of the recess at least inthe course of the clamping of the circuit board for desired finalelectrical interconnection between the board and connector andthereafter as long as said final interconnection remains made, said sidelegs each having a groove extending at least a substantial distancetherealong, said side legs being at least towards opposite sidesrespectively of the two base legs considered as a unit, said groovesbeing located to and suitable to receive the two opposite side edgeportions of the circuit board, said one base leg and resilient body unitcarrying electrical contacts for engagement with said conductorsrespectively of said board at least a board conductor engageable portionof each of which contacts extends over a portion of the resilient body,facing towards the other base leg not receiving said resilient body and,is so in engagement with such-portion of the resilient body in thecourse of the clamping of the base legs, together with the resilientbody of said one of them and the contacts, against said board after thelatter has been at least generally predeterminately interposed betweenthe base legs as to help cause at least some resilient deformation ofthe resilient body and clamping means operatively associated with saidinsulative bodies effective to clamp said base legs, together with theresilient body of said one of them and the contacts, and interposedboard together into desired final electrical engagement between saidcontacts and said conductors of the board respectively after the boardhas been at least generally predeterminately placed between the baselegs together with the resilient body of said one of them and thecontacts, whereby, for electrically interconnecting said board andconnector, the board is inserted into the connector by moving it withinand along said grooves until the board extends within the space betweensaid base legs together with the resilient body of said one of them andsaid contacts in at least a generally predetermined relationtherebetween, at least the movement of the board between the base legstogether with the resilient body of said one of them and the contactsbeing carried out when the clamping means is not so functioning as to sokeep the base legs together with the resilient body of said one of themand said contacts at least close to each other as to prevent saidmovement of the board with no more than relatively low resistance to anysliding movement between the conductors of the board and the contacts ofthe connector, the clamping means then being placed in such a conditionas to in turn place said base legs together with the resilient body ofsaid one of them and said contacts in a desired condition of clampingthe-board therebetween to establish desired final electrical engagementbetween said contacts and said conductors of the board respectively,said resilient body resiliently deforming to permit accommodation ofsaid conductors of the board by said contacts respectively andresiliently urge the contacts into desired fina-l electrical engagementwith said conductors of the board respectively in the course of saidclamping.

5. An electrical connector for electrically connecting a printed circuitboard having a plurality of printed conductors on each of the twoopposite faces thereof to conductor means within which connector theboard is insertable with at most relatively low resistance to anysliding movement between the conductors of the board and the contacts ofthe connector, the connector comprising a pair of insulating bodiesfacing towards each other at least along a substantial portion of each,the side of each body which faces towards the other body along at leasta substantial portion thereof having a recess therein atleast asubstantial part of which is opposite at least a substantial part of therecess in the other body, each of the recesses having a body ofresilient material such as for example resilient rubber therein at leasta substantial part of which faces towards the other body of resilientmaterial, the back of each of the re silient bodies being in contactwith the back of the recess receiving the body at least in the course ofthe clamping of the circuit board for desired final electricalinterconnection between the board and connector and thereafter as longas said final interconnection remains made, the two insulating body andresilient body units carrying electrical contacts for engagement withsaid conductors respectively on the two faces of said board at least aboard conductor engageable portion of each of which contacts extendsover a portion 'of one of the resilient bodies, facing towards the otherresilient body, and is so in engagement with such portion of theresilient body in the course of the clamping of the insulating bodies,together with the resilient bodies thereof and the contacts, againstsaid board after the latter has been at least generally predeterminatelyinterposed between the insulating bodies and the resilient bodiesthereof as to help cause at least some resilient deformation of theresilient body, a pair of spaced board receivable means each defining agroove extending at least a substantial distance therealong, said meansand grooves thereof being so located with respect to the insulatingbodies and constructed as to be able to receive the two opposite sideedge portions of said board and allow the board to be inserted betweensaid insulating bodies together with the resilient bodies and contactsthereof, and clamping means operatively associated with said insulatingbodies effective to clamp the same, together with the resilient bodiesthereof and the contacts, and interposed board together into desiredfinal electrical engagement between said contacts and said conductors ofthe board respectively after the board has been at least generallypredeterminately placed between the insulating bodies together with theresilient bodies and contacts thereof, whereby, for electricallyinterconnecting said board and connector, the board is inserted into theconnector by moving it within and along said grooves of said boardreceivable means until the board extends Within the space between saidinsulating bodies together with the resilient bodies and contactsthereof in at least a generally predetermined relation therebetween, atleast the movement of the board between the insulating bodies togetherwith the resilient bodies and contacts thereof being carried out whenthe clamping means is not so functioning as to so keep the insulatingbodies together with the resilient bodies and contacts thereof at leastclose to each other as to prevent said movement of the board with nomore than relatively low resistance to any sliding movement between theconductors of the board and the contacts of the connector, the clampingmeans then being placed in such a condition as to in turn place saidinsulating bodies together with the resilient bodies and contactsthereof in a desired condition of clamping the board therebetween toestablish desired final electrical engagement between said contacts andsaid conductors of the board respectively, said resilient bodiesresiliently deforming to permit accommodation of said conductors of theboard by said contacts respectively and resiliently urge the contactsinto desired final electrical engagement with said conductors of theboard respectively in the course of said clamping.

6. An electrical connector for electrically connecting a printed circuitboard having a plurality of printed conductors on a face thereof toconductor means within which connector the board is insertable with atmost relatively low resistance to any sliding movement between theconductors of the board and the contacts of the connector, the connectorcomprising a pair of insulative bodies facing towards each other atleast along a substantial portion of each, the side of one of the bodieswhich faces towards the other body along at least a sub stantial portionof each, the side of one of the bodies,

l l which faces towards the other body along at least a substantialportion thereof having a recess therein at least a substantial part ofwhich is opposite at least part of the other, body, the recess having abody of resilient material such as for example resilient rubber thereinat least a substantial part of which faces towards the insulative bodynot having said recess and bodylof resilient material, the back of theresilient body being in contact with the back of the recess at least inthe course of the clamping of the circuit board for desired finalelectrical interconnection between the board and connector andthereafter as long as said final interconnection remains made, said oneinsulative body and resilient body unit carrying electrical contacts forengagement with said conductors respectively of said board at least aboard conductor engageable portion of each of which contacts extendsover a portion of the resilient body, facing towards the otherinsulative body not'receiving said resilient body, and is so in en-'gagernent with such portion of the resilient body in the course of theclarnping of the insulative bodies, together with the resilient body ofsaid one of them and the contacts, against said board after the latterhas been at least generally predeterminately interposed between theinsulative bodies as to help cause at least some resilient deformationof the resilient body, a pair of spaced board receivable means eachdefining a groove extending at least a substantial distance therealong,said means and grooves thereof being so located with respect to theinsulative bodies and constructed as to be able to receive the twoopposite side edge portions of said board and allow the board to beinserted between said insulative bodies together with the resilient bodyof said one of them and said contacts, and clamping means operativelyassociated with said insulative bodies effective to clamp the same,together with the resilient body of said one of them and the contacts,and interposed board together into desired final electrical engagementbetween said contacts and said conductors of the board respectivelyafter the board has been at least generally predeterminately placedbetween the insulative bodies together with the resilient body of saidone of them and contacts, whereby,

for electrically interconnecting said board and connector, the board isinserted into the connector by moving it within and along said groovesof said board receivable means until the board extends within the spacebetween said insulative bodies together with the resilient body of saidone of them and said contacts in at least a generally predeterminedrelation therebetween, at least the movement of the board between theinsulative bodies together with the resilient body of 'said one of themand the contacts being carried out when the clamping means is not sofunctioning as to so keep the insulative bodies together with theresilient body'of'said one of them and said contacts at least close toeach other as to prevent said movement of the board with no more thanrelatively low resistance to any sliding movement between the conslidingmovement between the conductors of the board and the contacts of theconnector, the connector comprising a pair of insulating bodies facingtowards each other at least along a substantial portion of each, the

ductors of the board and the contacts of theconnector,

the clamping means then being placed in such a condition as to in turnplace said insulative bodies together with the resilient body of saidone of them and said contacts in a desired condition of clamping theboard therebetween to establish desired final electrical engagementbetween said contacts and said conductors. of the board respectively;said resilient body resiliently deforming to permit accommodation ofsaid conductors of the board by said contacts respectively andresiliently urge the conside of each body which faces towards the otherbody along at least a substantial portion thereof having a recesstherein at least a substantial part of which is opposite at least asubstantial part of the recess in the other body, each of therecesseshaving a body of resilient material such as for example resilient rubbertherein at least a substantial part of which faces towards the otherbody of resilient material, the back of each of the resilient bodiesbeing in contact with the back of the recess receiving the body at leastin the course of the clamping of the circuit board for desired finalelectrical interconnection between the board and connector andthereafter as long as said final interconnection remains made, the twoinsulating body and resilient body units carrying electrical contactsfor engagement with said conductors respectively on the two faces ofsaid board at least a board conductor engageable portion of each ofwhich contacts extends over a portion of one of the resilient bodies,facing towards the other resilient body, and is so in engagement withsuch portion of the resilient body in the courseof the clamping of theinsulating bodies, together with the resilient bodies thereof and thecontacts, against said board after the latter has been at leastgenerally predeterminately interposed between the insulating bodies andthe resilient bodies thereof as to 7 contacts thereof, whereby, forelectrically interconnecting said board and connnector, the board isinserted within the space between said insulating bodies together withthe resilient bodies and contacts thereof into at least agenerallypredetermined relation thenebetween, the movement of the boardbetween the insulating bodies together with the resilient bodies andcontacts thereof being car- 1 ried out when the clamping means is' notso functioning as to so keep the insulating bodies together with theresilient bodies and contacts thereof at least close to each other as toprevent said movement of the board with no more than relatively lowresistance to any sliding movement between the conductors of the boardand the confacts of the connector, the clamping means then being placedin such a condition as to in turn place said insulating bodiestogether'with' the resilient bodies and contacts thereof in a desiredcondition of clamping the board therebetween to establish desired finalelectrical engagement between said contacts and said conductors of theboard respectively, said resilient bodies resiliently tacts into desiredfinal electrical engagement with said conductors of the boardrespectively in the course of said clamping. a

7. An electrical connector for electrically connecting a printed circuitboard having a plurality of printed conductors on each of the two,opposite faces thereof to conductor means within which connector theboard is insertable with at most relatively low resistance to anydeforming to permit accommodation of said conductors of the board bysaid contacts respectively and resiliently urge the contacts intodesired final electrical engagement with said conductors of the boardrespectively in the courseof said clamping. I i

Y 8. An electrical connector for electrically connectinga printedcircuit board having a plurality of printed conduc tors on a facethereof to conductor means within which connector the board isinsertable with at most relatively low resistance to any slidingmovement between the coni ductors of the board and the contacts of theconnector, the connector comprising a pair of insulative bodies facingtowards each other at least along a substantial portion of each, theside of one of the bodies which faces towards the other body along atleast a substantial portion thereof having a recess therein at least asubstantial part of which is opposite at least part of the other body,the recess having a body of resilient material such as for exampleresilient rubber therein at least a substantial part of which facestowards the insulative body not having said recess and body of resilientmaterial, the back of the resilient body being in contact with the backof the recess at least in the course of the clamping of the circuitboard for desired final electrical interconnection between the board andconnector and thereafter as long as said final interconnection remainsmade, said one insulative body and resilient body unit carryingelectrical contacts for engagement with said conductors respectively ofsaid board at least a board conductor engageable portion of each ofwhich contacts extends over a portion of the resilient body, facingtowards the other insulative body not receiving said resilient body, andis so in engagement with such portion of the resilient body in thecourse of the clampingiof the insulative bodies, together with theresilient body of said one of them and the contacts, against said boardafter the latter has been at least generally pnedeterminately interposedbetween the insulative bodies as to help cause at least some resilientdeformation of the resilient body, clamping means operatively associatewith said insulative bodies effective to clamp the same together withthe resilient body of said one of them and the contacts, and interposedboard together into desired final electrical engagement between saidcontacts and said conductors of the board respectively after the boardhas been at least generally predeterminately placed between theinsulative bodies together with the resilient body of said one of themand contacts, whereby, for electrically interconnecting said board andconnector, the board is inserted within the space between saidinsulative bodies together with the resilient body of said one of themand said contacts into at least a generally predetermined relationtherebetween, the movement of the board between the insulative bodiestogether with the resilient body of said one of them and the contactsbeing carried out when the clamping means is not so functioning as to sokeep the insulative bodies together with the resilientbody of said oneof them and said contacts at least close to each other as to preventsaid movement of the board with no more than relatively low resistanceto any sliding movement between the conductors of the board and thecontacts of the connector, the clamping means then being placed in sucha condition as to in turn place said insulative bodies together with theresilient body of said one of them and said con tacts in a desiredcondition of clamping the boardtherebetweento establish desired finalelectrical engagement between said contacts and said conductors of theboard respectively, said resilient body resiliently deforming to permitaccommodation of said conductors of the board by said contactsrespectively and resiliently urge the contacts .into desired finalelectrical engagement with said conductors of the board respectively inthe course'of said clamping.

, 9. An electrical connector for electrically connecting a printedcircuit board having a plurality of printed conductors on each of thetwo opposite faces thereof to conduct-or means Within which connectorthe board is insertable with at most relativelylow resistance to anysliding movement between'the conductors of the board and the contacts ofthe connecton'the connector comprising a pair of insulating bodies eachhaving a side leg and a base leg, the base legs of said bodies facingtowards each other at least along a substantial portion of each, a bodyof resilient material such-as for example resilient rubber at t leastloosely mounted on each base leg on the side thereof facing, along atleast a substantial portion thereof, to: Wards the other base leg, saidbodies of resilient material facing towards each other at least along asubstantial portion of each, said side legs each having a grooveextending at least a substantial distance therealong, said side legsbeing at least towards opposite sides respectively of the two base legsconsidered as a unit, said grooves being located to and suitable toreceive the two opposite side edge portions of the circuit board, thetwo base leg and resilient body units carrying electrical contacts forengagement with said conductors respectively on the two faces of saidboard at least a board conductor engageable portion of each of whichcontacts extends over a portion of one of the resilient bodies, facingtowards the other resilient body, and is so in engagement with suchportion of the resilient body in the course of the clamping of the baselegs, together with the resilient bodies thereof and the contacts,against said board after the latter has been at least generallypredeterminately interposed between the base legs as to help cause atleast some resilient deformation of the resilient body, and clampingmeans operatively associated with said insulating bodies effective toclamp said base legs, together with the resilient bodies thereof and thecontacts, and interposed board together into desired final electricalengagement between said contacts and said conductors of the boardrespectively after the board has been at least generallypredeterminately placed between the base legs together with theresilient bodies and contacts thereof, whereby, for electricallyinterconnecting said board and connector, the board is inserted into theconnector by moving it within and along said grooves until the boardextends within the space between said base legs together with theresilient bodies and contacts thereof in at least a generallypredetermined relation therebetween, at least the movement of the boardbetween the base legs together with the resilient bodies and contactsthereof being carried out when the clamping means is not so functioningas to so keep the base legs together with the resilient bodies andcontacts thereof at least close to each other as to prevent saidmovement of the board with no more than relatively low resistance to anysliding movement between the conductors of the board and the contacts ofthe connector, the clamping means then being placed in such a conditionas to in turn place said base legs together with the resilient bodiesand contacts thereof in a desired condition of clamping the boardtherebetween to establish desired final electrical engagement betweensaid contacts and said conductors of the board respectively, saidresilient bodies resiliently deforming to permit accommodation of saidconductors of the board by said contacts respectively and resilientlyurge the contacts into desired final electrical engagement with saidconductors of the board respectively in the course of said clamping.

10. An electrical connector for electrically connecting a printedcircuit board having a plurality of conductors on a face thereof toconductor means within which connector the board is insertable with atmost relatively low resistance to any sliding movement between theconductors of the board and the contacts of the connector, the connectorcomprising a pair of insulative bodies each having a side leg and a baseleg, the base legs of said bodies facing towards each other at leastalong a substantial portion of each, a body of resilient material suchas for example resilient rubber at least loosely mounted on one of thebase legs on the side thereof facing, along at least a substantialportion thereof, towards the other base leg, said' body of resilientmaterial facing, at least along a substantial portion thereof, towardsthe base leg not having the body of resilient material, said side legseach having a groove extending at least a substantial distancetherealong, said side legs being at least towards opposite sidesrespectively of the two base legs considered as a unit, said groovesbeing located to and suitable to receive thetwo opposite side edgeportions of the circuit board, said one base leg and resilient body unitcarrying electrical contacts for engagement with said conductorsrespectively of said board at least a board conductor engageable portionof each of which contacts extends over a portion of the resilient body,facing towards the other base leg not having said resilient body, and isso in engagement with such portion of the resilient body in the courseof the clamping of the base legs, together with the resilient body ofsaid one of them and the contacts, against said board after the latterhas been at least generally predeterminately interposed between the baselegs as to help cause at least some resilient deformation of theresilient body and clamping means operatively associated with saidinsulative bodies effective to clamp said base legs together with theresilient body of said one of them and the contacts, and interposedboard together into'desired final electrical engagement between saidconthe boardiis inserted into the connector 'by moving it within andalong said grooves until the board extends withinthe spacebetwcen saidbase legs together with the resilient body of said one of them and saidcontacts in at 'least' a generally predetermined relation therebetween,at least the movement of the board between the is of said board andallow the board to be inserted between said insulating bodies togetherwith the resilient bodies and contacts thereof, and clamping meansoperatively associated with said insulating bodies effective to clampthe same, together with the resilient bodies thereof and the contacts,and interposed board together into desired final electrical engagementbetween said contacts and said conductors of the board respectivelyafter the board has been at least generally predeterminately placedbetween the insulating bodies together with the resilient bodies andcontacts thereof, whereby, for electrically interconnecting said boardand connector, the board is inr serted into the connector by moving itwithin and along base legs together with the resilient body of said oneof them and the contacts being carried out when the clamping means isnot so functioning as to so keep the base legs together with theresilient body of said one of them and said contacts at least close toeach other as to prevent said movement of the board with no more thanrelatively low resistance t-o any sliding movement between theconductor's of the board and the contacts of the connector, the clampingmeans then being placed in such a condition as to in turn'place saidbase legs together with the resilient body of said one 30f them and saidcontacts in a desired condition of clamping the board therebetween toestablish desired final electrical engagement between, said contacts andsaid conductors of the board respeca said grooves of said boardreceivable means until the board extends within the space between saidinsulating bodies together with the resilient bodies and contactsthereof in at'least a generally predetermined relation therebetween, atleast the movement of the board between the insulating bodiestogetherwith the resilient bodies and contacts thereof being carried out whenthe clamping means is not so functioning as to so keep the insulat ingbodies together with the resilient bodies and contacts thereof'at leastclose to each other as to prevent said movement of the board with nomore than relatively low resistance to any sliding movement between theconductors of the board and the contacts of the connector, the clampingmeans then being placed in such a condition as to in turn place saidinsulating bodies together with r the resilient bodies and contactsthereof 'in a desired contively, said resilient body resilientlydeforming topermit accommodation of said conductors of the board by saidcontacts respectively and resiliently urge the contacts into desiredfinal electrical engagement with said conductors of the boardrespectivelyin the course of said clamping.

11. 'Anelectric'al connector for electrically connecting a printedcircuit'boardhaving a plurality of printed conductors on each of thetwoopposite faces thereof to conductors means within which connector theboard is insertable with at mostrelatively'low resistance to any slidingmovement between the conductors of thetboard and .the contacts of theconnector, the connector comprising a pair of insulating bodies facingtowards each other at least along a substantial portion of each, a bodyof resilient material such as for example resilient rubber at leastloosely mounted on each'insulating body on the side there of facing,along atleast 'a' substantial portion thereof, towards the otherinsulating body, each 'of said bodies of resilient material facing, atleast along a substantial por- 7 tion thereof, towards the other body ofresilient material, the two insulating body'and resilient body .unitscarryr ing electrical contacts for engagement with said conductorsrespectively on the two faces of said board at least a board conductorengageable portion of each of which contacts extends over a portion ofone of the resilient bodies, facing towards the other resilient body,and is so inengagement with such portion of the resilientbody'in thecourse of the clamping of the insulating bodies, to gether with theresilient bodies thereof and the'contacts,

dition of clamping thefboard therebetween to establish desired finalelectrical engagement between said contacts and said conductors of theboard respectively, said resilient bodies resiliently deforming topermit accommodation of said conductors of the board by said contactsrespectively and resiliently urge the contacts into desired finalelectrical engagement with said conductors of the board respectively inthe course of said clamping.

12. An electrical connector for electrically connecting a printedcircuit board having a plurality of printed conductors-on a faceithereofjto conductor means within which connector the board isinsertable with at most relatively low resistance to any slidingmovement between the conductors of the board and the contacts of theconnector, the connector comprising a pair of insulative bodies facingtowardseach other at least along asubstantial portion of each, a bodyofresilient material such a as for example resilient rubber at leastloosely mounted on one of the insulative bodieson the side thereoffacing, along at least a substantial portion thereof, towardsagainstsaidboardafter the latterhas been atleast gen- 7 erallypredeterminatelyinterposed between the insulating I bodies and the'resilient bodies thereof as to help cause at least some resilientdeformation of the resilient body, a pair of spaced board receivablemeans each defining a grooveextending at least a substantial distance"therealong, said means and: grooves thereof being so located withrespectto the insulating bodies and constructed as to be .able to receivethetwo, opposite side edge'portions the other insulative body, .saidbodyof resilient material facing, at least along a substantial portionthereof, to-

rwards the insulative body not having the body of resilient material,said one insulative body and resilient body unit carrying electricalcontacts for engagement with said conductors respectivelyof said boardat 'leas ta board conductor engageable portion of each of which contactsextends over a portion 'of the resilient body, facing towards'theiotherinsulative bodyinot having said resilient body, and is so in engagementwith such portion of'the resilient body in'the course'of the clamping ofthe'insulative bodies, together with the resilient body of said oneofthem and the contacts, against said board after the latter has been atleast generally predeterminately interposed between the insulativebodies as to help cause at least some resilient deformation oftheresilient body, a

pair of spaced board receivable :means each defining a groove extendingat least a substantial distance there-"r along, said'means and groovesthereof being so located with respect to the insulative bodies andconstructed as to be able to receive the two opposite side edge portionsa of said boardandallow the board to be inserted between said insulativebodies together with the resilient body of said oneof them and saidcontacts, and clamping means operatively associated with said insulativebodies effective to cl amp the same, togetherwith the resilient body 17of said one of them and the contacts, and interposed board together intodesired final electrical engagement between said contacts and saidconductors of the board respectively after the board has been at leastgenerally predeterminately placed between the insulative bodies togetherwith the resilient body of said one of them and 'the contacts, whereby,for electrically interconnecting said board and connector, the board isinserted into the connector by moving it within and along said groovesof said board receivable means until the board extends within the spacebetween said insulative bodies together with the resilient body of saidone of them and said contacts in at least a generally predeterminedrelation therebetween, at least the movement of the board between theinsulative bodies together with the resilient body of said one of themand the contacts being carried out when the clamping means is not sofunctioning as to so keep the insulative bodies together with theresilient body of said one of them and said contacts at least close toeach other as to prevent said movement of the board with no more thanrelatively low resistance to any sliding movement between the conductorsof the board and the contacts of the connector, the clamping means thenbeing placed in such a condition as to in turn place said insulativebodies together with the resilient body of said one of them and saidcontacts in a desired condition of clamping the board therebetween toestablish desired final electrical engagement between said contacts andsaid conductors of the board respectively, said resilient bodyresiliently deforming to permit accommodation of said conductors of theboard by said contacts respectively and resiliently urge the contactsinto desired final electrical engagement with said conductors of theboard respectively in the course of said clamping.

13. An electrical connector for electrically connecting a printedcircuit board having a plurality of printed conductors on a face thereofto conductor means within which connector the board is insertable withat most relatively low resistance to any sliding movement between theconductors of the board and the contacts of the connector, the connectorcomprising a pair of insulative bodies facing towards each other atleast along a substantial portion of each, a body of resilient materialsuch as for eX- ample resilient rubber at least loosely mounted on oneof the insulative bodies on the side thereof facing, along at least asubstantial portion thereof, towards the other insulative body, saidbody of resilient material facing, at least along a substantial portionthereof, towards the insulative body not having the body of resilientmaterial, said one insulative body and resilient body unit carryingelectrical contacts for engagement with said conductors respectively ofsaid board at least a board conductor engageable portion of each ofwhich contacts extends over a portion of the resilient body, facingtoward the other insulative body not having said resilient body, and isso in engagement with such portion of the resilient body in the courseof the clamping of the insulative bodies, together with the resilientbody of said one of them and the contacts, against said board after thelatter has been at least generally predeterminately interposed betweenthe insulative bodies as to help cause at least some resilientdeformation of the resilient body, and clamping means operativelyassociated with said insulative bodies effective to clamp the same,together with the resilient body of said one of them and the contacts,and interposed board together into desired final electrical engagementbetween said contacts and said conductors of the board respectivelyafter the board has been at least generally predeterminately placedbetween the insulative bodies together with the resilient body of saidone of them and the contacts, whereby, for electrically interconnectingsaid board and connector, the board is inserted within the space betweensaid insulative bodies together with the resilient body of said one ofthem and said contacts into at least a generally predetermined relationtherebetween, the movement of the board between the insulative bodiestogether with the resilient body of said one of them and the contactsbeing carried out when the clamping means is not so functioning as to sokeep the insulative bodies together with the resilient body of said oneof them and said contacts at least close to each other as to preventsaid movement of the board with no more than relatively low resistanceto any sliding movement between the conductors of the board and thecontacts of the connector, the clamping means then being placed in sucha condition as to in turn place said insulative bodies together with theresilient body of said one of them and said contacts in a desiredcondition of clamping the board therebetween to establish desired finalelectrical engagement between said contacts and said conductors of theboard respectively, said resilient body resiliently deforming to permitaccommodation of said conductors of the board by said contactsrespectively and resiliently urge the contacts into desired finalelectrical engagement with said conductors of the board respectively inthe course of said clamping.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,858,515 10/58Thunander et a1. 339-176 X 2,874,363 2/59 Ainsworth 33961 X 2,881,4044/59 Kamm 339-61 X 2,994,056 7/61 Fox 33917 3,037,181 5/62 Leshner339-61 X 3,038,140 6/62 Haberland 339-92 X JOSEPH D. SEERS, PrimaryExaminer.

W. DONALD MILLER, Examiner. r

1. AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ADAPTED TO ELECTRICALLY CONNECT A PRINTEDCIRCUIT COMPONENT TO ASSOCIATED CIRCUITRY WHEREBY SLIDING ACTION UPONTHE PRINTED CIRCUIT STRIPS OF THE COMPONENT IS MINIMIZED, SAID CONNECTORCOMPRISING: A PAIR OF INSULATING BODIES EACH OF SAID BODIES DEFINING ASIDE LEG AND A BASE LEG, THE BASE LEG OF EACH BODY ADAPTED TO BEASSEMBLED IN MATING FACE-TO-FACE RELATION WITH RESPECT TO EACH OTHER,THE MATING FACE OF EACH OF SAID BASE LEGS HAVING A RECESS THEREIN, EACHOF SAID RECESSES HAVING A BODY OF RESILIENT MATERIAL THEREIN, SAID SIDELEGS EACH DEFINING A GROOVE EXTENDING THEREALONG, SAID GROOVES ADAPTEDTO RECEIVE THE EDGES OF THE CIRCUIT COMPONENT, SAID BASE LEGS EACHHAVING ELECTRICAL CONTACTS THEREIN, AT LEAST ONE PORTION OF EACH OF THECONTACTS ADAPTED TO EXTEND OVER THE MATING FACE OF THE BODY OF RESILIENTMATERIAL; AND CLAMPING MEANS OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID MATINGBASE LEGS TO CLAMP SAID BASE LEGS TOGETHERM, WHEREBY SAID CIRCUITCOMPONENT IS INSERTED INTO SAID CONNECTOR BY SLIDABLY URGING IT ALONGTHE GOOVES UNTIL SAID COMPONENT EXTENDS INTO THE AREA BETWEEN SAID BASELEGS, SAID BASE LEGS THEN BEING MOVED INTO CLAMPING RELATION WITH SAIDCOMPONENT BY SAID CLAMPING MEANS, SAID BODIES OF RESILIENT MATERIALDEFLECTING TO ACCOMMODATE THE BOARD CIRCUIT STRIPS AND URGING SAID ONEPORTION OF THE CONTACT INTO ELECTRICAL ENGAGEMENT WITH THE STRIPS ONSAID COMPONENT.